MARRY ME.

Song Rec: From Eden — Hozier.

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When I arrived home, I pondered deeply about potential fake marriage partners—so much so that I lost sleep over it.

In my desperation, I had dug a large hole for myself and felt uncertain about how to get out.

I had already turned down the blind dates that could have helped me a month ago, and all the men I encountered treated me like they were doing me a favor by offering marriage. Ironically, whoever I would meet would technically be granting me a favor.

As I drove Reese to school that day, I kept analyzing and brainstorming ways to find someone. I was so absent-minded that I realized I was still wearing my red silk pajamas.

Halfway there, Reese pointed it out, but by then, it was too late to change. I decided to drop her off while still in the car.

In the parking lot, I opened the door for Reese, adjusted her backpack straps, and handed her lunch, all while watching her walk into the school. A teacher kindly helped her with her bag, making me think of Castiel, who was always at the school's entrance waiting for her.

Soon, a black Porsche parked next to me with Castiel driving and Bradley in the passenger seat. I watched them unbuckle their seat belts and exit without a care for who owned the vehicle.

"If you're uncomfortable with me talking about my wife, Castiel, why don't you get yours?" Bradley joked, playfully punching Castiel's shoulder with a laugh.

Castiel rolled his eyes and locked the car doors. That's when it hit me—an unmarried man my daughter was familiar with, a substitute teacher likely juggling multiple jobs to make ends meet. He was exactly the person I needed.

I quickly exited the car and blocked his path.

"What a surprise, Ms. Loughton," Bradley chortled.

"Good morning, Mr. Bradley," I replied before turning my attention to Castiel, whose brows were raised in curiosity. "I'd like to have a word with you, Mr. Stephanov."

"I wouldn't—"

"It's about Reese." I cut him off, cutting off his urge to reject me.

"What happened to her?" he asked, concern etched on his face.

I glanced at Bradley as he chuckled, "I'll leave you two to talk." He walked away.

"It's private," I insisted once he was gone.

"Say whatever you want to say here and now; there's no one around— the gates are locked," he pointed out. I noticed that only teachers' cars and school buses were still in the lot.

I swallowed hard to ease my dry throat and stared back at him. Then I blurted out the words as quickly as I could to get them off my chest: "Marry me."

Castiel blinked, taking a step back. He tilted his scrunched face to glance at me. "What did you say?"

I gripped my car keys tightly. "Marry me... please?"

His expression twisted into something unreadable. I braced myself for his response, but then he burst into laughter, his "hahas" ringing in my ears. Ashamed, I looked down, blaming his reaction on my pajamas and fluffy slippers.

"Wait... what did you say again?" he asked, still chuckling, one hand resting on the hood of his car and the other on his chest, trying to catch his breath.

"You heard me," I snorted, impatience creeping in to replace my embarrassment.

Castiel laughed again before standing up straight, and his expression shifted to serious. "No," he replied.

It felt like a brick had been thrown at my face. Nevertheless, I pressed on. "Come on. I can pay you, you know?"

"I'm not for sale," he scoffed, trying to brush past me. I held him back, pleading, "Please think about it." I slipped my business card into his hand. "Give me a call afterward."

He eyed the black card with hesitation before tucking it away and leaving.

I waited patiently for a response that day, even praying that he would consider my request to ease my situation. The anxiety was nothing compared to waiting for my university acceptance letter.

Out of boredom, I started drafting a clause for the marriage contract, hoping for grace through faith.

Castiel was the only man I'd been intimate with since arriving in England, and he was fond of Reese, which would at least give her a father figure for a few months. After the deal was over, I'd pay him off to disappear, telling her he went on a trip.

Around noon, Darwin's assistant emailed me, asking for my fiancé's last name for the invitation since the party was on Sunday and it was already Friday.

Holding my breath, I typed "Castiel Stepanov" and hit send. Whatever happened next, if Castiel turned down my offer, the next man I found would assume the name.

Time passed quickly, and soon it was time to pick Reese up from school. I changed into a black tennis skirt and a large Milwaukee Bucks jersey, paired with white Jordans, since I was planning to grab dinner from a restaurant afterward.

It was a struggle to focus on the road; my mind kept drifting to my phone, waiting for a notification or call. My heart leaped with hope as I saw him—walking hand in hand with Reese toward my car in the parking lot.

"Thank you, Mr. Stepanov," I said with a smile as I helped Reese into the car after she waved goodbye to him.

Just as I settled into the driver's seat, I felt his warm hand wrap around my wrist. He released me once he had my attention.

"I've thought about your proposal," he said.

If he laughed again and said no, I'd seriously consider sending my keys through his throat.

"So, what do you have to say?"

"Why do you want to marry me? If you say it's love, I'll leave you here."

I scoffed. "It can never be love. I'm in a financial pickle, and marriage is the only solution."

"You're broke, and you're offering money?"

"No. It's not like that."

I gasped as he stepped closer, forcing me to lean against the car. His calming scent enveloped me, and a crazy thought of kissing his neck surfaced, but I quickly dismissed it. I was just tired, that's all.

"Tell me," he whispered, and I couldn't tell if his words were meant to seduce me, but they sent chills down my spine.

"I need an investor for my law firm. The only way he'll invest is if I'm not a single mother. He's having a party on Sunday and wants me to bring my fiancé," I whispered into his ear.

"Then who's that guy at the café?" he asked, keeping his voice low.

"A random blind date. I don't know him," I replied quietly.

"Good." He stepped back. "I'll see you on Sunday."

"Is that a yes?" I asked as he turned to leave.

"Whichever you choose."